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Camellias are notoriously hardy plants that are relatively gentle to take tutelage of . They just need biyearly fertilization , frequent watering , and one-year pruning . People often cut out pruning from their camellia forethought plan , not hold it “ necessary . ” Which is technically fair . If you want to rise camellia , you do n’t have to clip them .
However , if you want to grow sound , long - lasting camelia that are disease and pest - devoid , you do need to prune them . It ’s that simple .
This camelia pruning guide will instruct you everything you call for to know to successfully cut back camellia so your plants can thrive .
What You Will Need
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Should You Prune Camellias?
Perhaps you think you do n’t have to prune because you already love how your camellia plant look . This may swash your psyche , but get laid how your camellia look is n’t a reason not to prune , it ’s a reason why you should .
If you want it to stay looking undecomposed , and more importantly , stay alive , you ask to prune . Not pruning for a few years can lead to huge figure - ups of bushed and degenerative branchlet within your camelia , which block light from the interior of the plant , and hinder airflow , causing pests and disease to take root .
This can take down your camelia from the inner , negatively impacting its longevity . Camellia pruning , while not totally all important , is necessary if you want to set up your camellias up for farsighted - term success .
Decision Time: Camellia Bush, Shrub or Tree?
Before pruning you should evaluate how you want your camelia to function in your landscape . Shrubs will be pruned other than than trees which will be pruned differently than hedges .
Trim bushes on a regular basis to help oneself them maintain their bush - like form , slenderize their height and creating new arm ontogenesis .
It can take a few old age to turn your camelia into a summary bush . In the first year , you will have to cut the plant life to its preferred height . In the second year , you have to cut back Modern shoots to your desired height . In the third year , you have to trim the plant ’s crown .
On the other hand , you’re able to more easily make an tremendous camellia a tree - like shrub by remove all of the branches from its low trunk and cut back the camelia to your want acme .
How Far Can You Cut Back Camellias?
How far you shorten back your camellias will depend on which motley you are growing . Some motley , like " Seafoam " are vigorous agriculturist and therefore can give to be thin out back more . If you do n’t know what your salmagundi is , take eminence of your camellia ’s growth pattern .
Camellias can hold severe pruning that significantly reduce their size . grave pruning should come only after the plant has fetch up blooming . If you are looking to drastically prune your camellias , you’re able to prune earlier , before the blossom quite fetch up blooming . Extreme pruning can remove as much as half the plant . Your plant should have no recovery problems as long as you cut right .
After life-threatening pruning , the plant will direct its vigour into growing , limiting the number of flowers that flower the next spring . However , by the second time of year , flowers should bloom on it again .
Can Camellias Be Cut Back Hard?
Camellias can live to be over 50 age older , so sometimes they do ask to be cut back hard to rejuvenate them . If your previous camelia begins to look scraggly and is producing few flush , cut it back to 3 human foot tall . Do n’t worry , this wo n’t kill the industrial plant because camellias are stout . It will grow back with glossy folio and colorful flower in no meter .
Keep in idea that hard pruning should be done in the spring if you want it to blossom at all the next year .
Should You Deadhead Camellias?
If bushed blooms plague your camelia , feel liberal to be ruthless in your removal of them . you may and should deadhead camellias . Deadheading will ameliorate your plant ’s looks and wellness . Not to mention , it will encourage new , beautiful blossom growth to replace the deadbeat blooms . Deadhead by deal , not with tools , twisting the old blooms off gently while holding their stems .
When Should You Prune Your Camellia?
The dependable clip to prune your camellia is after they hold back blooming . This will likely be in May or June , but it depends on whichUSDA Grow Zoneyou go in and what camellia varieties you are grow . Southeastern nurseryman may prune in February while cold climate nurseryman may prune in May .
Eager and lazy gardener alike beware , pruning too too soon or deep can circumscribe the number of flowers that bloom the next yr .
Can You Prune Camellias in the Winter?
you’re able to cut back camellias in the winter , but it is n’t an ideal time to do it . Pruning camellias at random times throughout the year runs the risk of removing blossom bud , limiting how many flowers flower during the next season .
How to Prune Camellias
Step One: Prepare for Pruning
You should prune your camellias immediately after their flowers stop blooming , before fresh increment starts . Have pruning shear and a pruning saw on hand . The pruning saw will go better for thick branch while the shear will work better for smaller branch .
Before cut you must make certain that your pruning equipment is fair . Tools that are not neat , and have past territory , debris , and dirt clinging to them , launch the risk of transmitting disease from one plant to another .
you’re able to spray the tools with home disinfectant or , if you are feeling like being thorough in your cleaning , surcharge them .
To pluck your tools , create a mixture that is 1 part bleach and 9 parts water in a bucket . Leave the tool in the bucket for 30 minutes . Then rinse thoroughly and air teetotal before use .
Whether you dowse or spray your pecker , it ’s a good idea to wear glove while disinfecting so that harmful chemicals do not touch your skin .
Your puppet should be clean and sharp . penetrative cut will heal quickly while ragged cut will not , permit more disease - make organisms to enrol them .
Step Two: Prune for Your Plant’s Health
If your camellias are already beautiful , but you want to keep them healthy , there are some effective way to cut back to promote plant health . Your first end should be creating more flow of air through the plant and enable light to make deep into the industrial plant .
This require thinning out interior branches . You should point weak and small leg that are offshoots of the main branch , keep open in mind that you should not snub the principal branches . Cut the arm off close to where they join independent branch , take forethought not to damage the barque or leave nubs behind .
You should also rationalize off all drained ramification . To test if branches are dead , rub them with a knife . If they are green underneath , then they are awake . If not , then they should be removed . Remove them by pruning an column inch or two below the dead or discredited Mrs. Henry Wood .
Pro Tip : you’re able to apply paint or a pruning sealant to swerve ramification to prevent disease from entering them .
Step Three: Prune to Improve Your Plant’s Shape
camelia are a beautiful plant life . Pruning can make them more beautiful , advance more , bushier growth , and an increase number of camelia blooms . you may change your plant ’s pattern , snipping off the ends of branches to get them to mature to the size you hope .
To make your camellia flora grow larger , crop back only an inch . If you want it to stay its current size , prune back a few inches . If you want to make it smaller , prune back a few inches less than your trust size of it .
Pro Tip : you could use the pruned branches as mulch for your camelia !
Conclusion
Do n’t concern if pruning sounds like a tidy sum of work to you , you only have to prune camelia once every year . If you do n’t yet have a camelia industrial plant , and were just researching care tip because you are considering getting one , you utterly should . These fragrant , centre - catching flowers are an unbelievable plant to have in your yard . Their gorgeous , colorful prime , evergreen plant leaves , and long - lasting winter flush will make camellias the crown - gem of your garden .
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